Dinuclear zinc(ii) complexes containing (benzimidazol-2-yl)benzene that overcome drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through induction of mitochondria fragmentationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 939161 and 939162. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c4dt00198b

Herein we demonstrated that dinuclear zinc complexes could overcome drug resistance in R-HepG2 drug resistance hepatocellular carcinoma cells through induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis or by triggering mitochondria fragmentation, depletion of the membrane potential and intracellular ATP levels. Dinuclear zinc complexes could overcome drug resistance in drug resistance hepatocellular carcinoma cells through induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.